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This weekend there is an NLCS rematch in Phoenix. Last year I was at Game 4 and saw Alex Thomas Send a Craig Kimbrel Pitch into the pool to tie the score at 5-5. Philadelphia’s home crowd gets a lot of well-deserved attention for how loud Citizens Bank Park can be, but the atmosphere at Chase Field during the comeback that led to Arizona Diamondbacks It was amazing that we tied the NLCS 2-2. It was so loud you could feel the air. My daughter, even though she was sitting right next to me, had to lean forward and scream to be heard.
I still don’t know what to think about a playoff system that gives wild-card teams a chance at a ring at 84-78. But I believe in a playoff system that incentivizes teams to build around young talent and build a fan base. There were plenty of Phillies fans in the house last year and there probably will be this weekend, too. But the D-backs fans were loud and proud, and they’ll get replica championship rings today to celebrate as the team prepares for another playoff appearance.
Today’s headlines
Living snakes
While we’re on the subject of Chase Field being loud, Diamondbacks rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo hit the first pitch of the ninth inning into the stands in right field, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2. Del Castillo made his debut in the second game of a doubleheader in Cleveland on Wednesday and went 3-4 with 2 RBIs on Friday. The D-backs prevented Philadelphia from becoming the first team to reach 70 wins this season. Ryne Nelson struck out nine over 7.1 IP and surpassed Zack Wheeler (6.0 IP, 8 K). Joc Pederson And Bryce Harper Both hit home runs today, but the established stars could not match the drama of Del Castillo’s memorable first home run.
ADRIAN. DEL. CASTILLO!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/tuovG22FH9
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) 10 August 2024
Twins win twice against Guardians
The Minnesota Twins doubled to the Cleveland Guardian yesterday twice with 4:2 and 6:3 victories. Cleveland’s lead in the AL Central has shrunk to 1.5 games over Minnesota. Bailey Ober allowed two hits and struck out nine players in six innings in the Twins’ first game.
Bailey Ober gives a changeup show.
11 swings and misses. pic.twitter.com/GHk5AlBA0z
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) 9 August 2024
Matt Wallner had the energy of the “biggest guy in softball” as he hit 94 miles per hour Alex Cobb fastball that might as well have been on a tee and gave the Twins the lead in Game 2.
Guardians have the #MNTwins a favor by letting Alex Cobb face left-handers Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner for a third time.
And then Cobb did Wallner an even bigger favor with a middle-middle fastball that was just waiting to be crushed.pic.twitter.com/ZkG3HAuI12
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) 10 August 2024
Six up, six down
San Diego and Atlanta are currently on different playoff courses. Thanks to the magic of MichaelJackson (Home run to tie in the ninth, 2-RBI single in the tenth) and Manny Machado (RBI double in the eighth, 2-RBI double in the tenth), the San Diego Padres beat the Miami Marlins 6-2. That’s their sixth straight win. They’re 15-3 since the All-Star break and 2.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. The close games that went wrong last year are turning into wins this season.
Jackson Merrill hit 4 home runs this season to tie or lead in the 9th inning or later, the most in a season at age 21 or younger in the expansion era (1961).
h/t @EliasSports https://t.co/V0EJ1XOgbe
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) 10 August 2024
Atlanta was one of the best teams in baseball in April, then stumbled through dips in form and injuries, but managed to secure a wildcard spot. Now they are half a game behind the New York Mets after the 6:5 defeat against Colorado Rockies. Marcell Ozuna bound Shohei Ohtani for the NL lead in home runs and new signing Jorge Soler tied the game with a 2-run shot. But a Ryan McMahon A double in the seventh inning knocked Atlanta out of the last wild card spot.
The Braves lost to the Rockies 6-5. They have lost six games in a row – their second six-game losing streak in recent weeks.
Atlanta is 60-55.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) 10 August 2024
The best moments of yesterday
Call
The young Washington Nationals could be a factor in the NL East in the near future.
Alex Call has a batting average of .459 (17-of-37) with 8 RBI in 11 games since returning to the major leagues. https://t.co/YFIGCynIy7
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) 10 August 2024
Ohtani again
The fact that Shohei Ohtani What he does in the modern hitting environment is amazing. We hear so many stories about how incredibly difficult hitting is because of pitching design and philosophy. And Ohtani regularly hits home runs that deserve the adjective “majestic.” He even had Dodger legend Sandra Koufax Stand up and applaud.
Shohei Ohtani regains the NL HR lead with No. 35! pic.twitter.com/TcNG1WClOl
— MLB (@MLB) 10 August 2024
Yes, you can
The Detroit Tigers were no-hitting the San Francisco Giants to six. One run in the seventh, one run in the eighth and one Mark Canha A sacrifice fly in the ninth inning gave them a 3-2 victory.
Can you get a walk-off? pic.twitter.com/PI4YGPZR2l
— SF Giants (@SFGiants) 10 August 2024
Injuries and other movements
⚾ An MRI showed that Minnesota Twins Right-handed starter Joe Ryan MRI suffered a Grade 2 strain of the teres major. This muscle runs from the shoulder blade to under the arm. Ryan will be out for weeks or months, but has not been ruled out for the season. The Twins have placed him on the 15-day IL. The Twins have also placed the left-handed reliever Brock Stewart on the 60-day IL after a season-ending shoulder surgery.
⚾ The Los Angeles Dodgers released Cavan Biggio.
⚾ The Cleveland Guardian placed right-handed starter Carlos Carrasco on the 15-day IL with a strain of the left hip.
⚾ The San Francisco Giants optional Camilo Doval to Triple-A.
⚾ Dave Roberts said The Mookie Betts would play in right field and bat second behind Shohei Ohtani when he comes back.
Articles you should read
Manaea gives fans in Central Park an incredible surprise – Anthony DiComo, MLB.com
A Pitcher List conversation with Sean Manea — Renee Dechert, Pitcher List
How the language of baseball is spread around the world – Julia Kreuz, MLB.com
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